10 Headspace employees share their go-to meditations

While “wellness” might be a craze, there’s still a stigma around certain kinds of self-improvement. We avoid carrying self-help books on the subway, we feel awkward sharing subjects of personal growth during water cooler chats, and even when we find something works, we often hesitate to share it with others unless we think they’re on the same page.

We’d like to open up that conversation by sharing some thoughts on our colleagues’ favorite Headspace content.

Of course, we think all of our meditation packs are pretty great. But we want to highlight some of the unsuspecting benefits, too. Check out some of our favorites below, and maybe you’ll find a new go-to of your own.

I’ve found, more than anything, that this pack helps me to keep my mind as clear as possible, and has given me a new capacity to adapt quicker and avoid injury. It’s incredible to feel the mechanics of my body without also overthinking it; staying with my breath and scanning through my body has also given me new techniques to push through mental and physical rough spots, building endurance I didn’t know possible. When it seems possible to give up, I build new awarenesses instead.”

–Ricky Ramsaran, Agile Coach of Engineering

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Sleep

“The Sleep pack is my ride or die. Ever since I can remember I’ve had difficulty falling asleep. Since high school, or maybe middle school. Once I started working at Headspace I really tried to take into consideration the idea of minimizing technology use right before bed. And, that the last app we use each day should be Headspace.

It’s become such an effective part of my evening routine, and 9 times out of 10 I fall asleep before the session ends. It’s incredible to know how to seek calm before falling asleep and to rule out any restlessness in the body or busyness in the mind. Now, when I know that I have a big day ahead of me, or want to get a certain amount of sleep before waking early, I know exactly how to achieve that.”

–Maria Toce, People Operations Coordinator

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Relationships

“I was just coming off of an all-consuming work launch project (at a previous job) that had me in a frazzled mental state, and I remember looking for something that would make me feel reconnected to the people around me. My work normalized again and I felt ready to get back to nurturing my personal life. The Relationships pack started to call to me…

I’ve learned to be less judgmental of others, and also be more empathetic. Rather than making assumptions or falling into patterns of self-doubt, I know now that thoughts are just that: thoughts! They don’t define us in any way.

It helps me to understand that we’re all going through similar struggles and taking time out to learn more (and let go of more!) will have a massive effect on those around us.”

It’s quick, so it’s also a really nice refresher. The tone is upbeat and cheerful. It can be easy for the tone of meditation to get quite serious, and of course, there’s a time and place for that. But as someone who came to meditation with anxiety, the playfulness is a good way to remember that there are many ways to look at everything.

There are really great visualization techniques that encourage us to picture that we all have what we need and that we’re all in this (and playing) together. It’s a great reminder that meditation is bigger than just us. It motivates me to continue to practice (and be part of) something much larger than myself.”

I’m learning to accept each place and time for what they represent—and to integrate my whole self wherever I go. Although it’s sometimes tough to handle situations I may not choose or prefer, I’m learning to accept them for what they are and continue to move forward. The practice of acknowledging the differences between thought and action, perception and reality, and temporary versus permanent have been super useful. I’m developing a much better relationship with my mind and my fullest potential.”

I go back to the pack during times when I am having difficulty letting go of resistance with respect to certain aspects of my life. I do feel better equipped to accept that which is beyond my control these days.”

–Michael Marchand, Corporate Counsel

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We’d love to hear about your favorite packs, too. Please jump in on the conversation over at Twitter and Facebook.

The Headspace app has been downloaded more than 18 million times. It will teach you the life skill of meditation in just 10 minutes a day. Here on the Orange Dot, you'll find stories, advice, and features that will support you on your journey to a healthier, happier life.